Tractor vehicle



April 21, 1925. Y 1,53,2`97 3 LE C-RANDk G. CAREY v TRACTOR VEHICLE Filed Dec. 22. 1921` sheets-sheet 1 fozaA/Erg April' 21, 1925. 1,534,297 fW Y LE GRAND G. CAREY TRACTOR VEHICLE Filed Dec. 2.2', 1921 4 sheets-sheet s 1,534,297 LE GRAND G. CAREY TRACTOR VEHICLE- Filed Dec. 22.` 1921 4 sheets-sheet 4 1 /@52M sa 2222v y ma www@ l i Patented Apr. '21, 1925.

`Lr: GRAND e. CAREY, or GLEVELAND, onio.

, TRACTOR VEHICLE.

Application ledDecember 22, 1921. Serialy No. 524,230.

1 To ill whom t may concern:

Be nity known that I, Ln GRANn G. CARY,

i a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Cleveland, inthe county of Cuyahoga and State*` of Ohio, haveinvented a certain new and useful Improvement in Tractor Vehicles, of which the following is a'full, clear,

and exact description, reference being had to thel accompanyingw drawings.

This inventlon relates to lmprovements 1n dumpf'wagons and .is more -particularly con# cernedylwith vehicles such as are in use in large grading@ and excavating projects.

' 4The general object of the present invention is the provision of a dump wagon of large capacity having tractor propelling means.

A further 4,object is the provision of a small, compact durable tractor construction having" unique characteristics of .design which will permit ofits ready adaptation to the hauling vof a large dump wagon of the bottom` dumping type; the design of the tractor being such' that the crawlers or grouser aprons may be selectively driven by suitable reduction gearing which is vpropelled by an internal combustion engine' po-v sitioned on the tractor frame.

Another object is to arrange all of the mechanismcarriedby the tractor frame in such a manneras to permit the turning of the tractor and the vehicle in a relatively small4 space.

An additional importantl object is the pro-.

vision of means operableupon a movement vof the tractor which is adapted to close the dumping doors of the vehicle consquent to the unloading of the vehicle.

Other objects lwill. become apparent from the following description in reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate an embodiment of my device; the essential characteristics are summarized 1n the claims. In the drawings Fig. 1 1s a slde elevation 'l of a dump cart and tractorwhich illustrates the relative proportions of the load carrying body of the vehicle and the propelling mechanism or tractor; Fig. 2 isa plan view of the vehicle;vFig. 3 is an enlarged plan view of the reduction gearing and tractor propelling mechanism with one of the propelling wheels and some of the bearing in cross section; Fig. 4'is a fragmentary front elevation a rewindmechanism for closing the unloadin doors; Fig. 5 isa longitudinal cross section `l` elevation of the tractor and pivotal connecting means for connecting the load carrying body to the tractor; Fig.6 is a transverse sectional elevation taken sub- 'tstantially through the front axle of the tracor. v

In heavy grading work where the earth is soft, it is customary to use horse-drawn dump wagons having a comparatively small load carrying capacity, usually not exceeding a cubic yard. The wagons 'are usually l loaded by a so-called steam shovel? or surface grading'machine, the effective utilizationbf which is limited, due to the fact that continuous `operation is interrupted ,whenever one wagon is drawn away`while another is positionedV adjacent the machine.y To eliminate this loss of time as well as to greatly lower the cost of grading/workin general I have provided a tractor drawn vehicle of large capacity which may be readily maneuvered into position with the same degree of ease as a smaller vehicle drawn 'by horses.

The general requirements of such a vehicle are that it should be several times the capacity of a small wagon; `that it should bel of the bottom unloading or bottom dumping type, and that the means for propelling it should be of sufficient power to haul the load Aover yielding ground surfaces; the propelling means, however, should be of such size that the vehicle may be turned Within a comparatively small space.

In Fig. 1 I have illustrated a design embodying these characteristics wherein a dump wagon having an unusually large load carrying body 10 is supported by longitudinally-extending beams 11, the rearward ends of which are securedto a heavy axle 12 uponA which a pair of WideA rimmed wheels 13 are mounted. The forward,V ends of the beams may be secured to a pivot block 14 which rests'upon a complementary engaging block 15 positioned at the rearward end of the tractor frame. 4

'lhe tractor construction is comprised of a rectangular structural frame having longitudinal side members 18 upon which depending tractor wheel bearings 19 are mounted and twointermediate longitudinal members 21 which are arranged to suppJt the various gearing and control mechanisms hereinafter referred to. Transverse end members 23 complete the tractor frame.

The rear wheels 24 serve to drive the vehicle and may be mounted on a non-rotatable axle member 25l while the forward may have a centrally disposed Apivotal con;v

nection with the frame which may be comprised of a bracket (not sho-wn) securedv to the underside of theintermediate longitudinal framemembers 21. The arrangement of the supports and axle for the rollers 29 are described in my granted May 29, 1917.

The traction or crawler aprons 34 may be joined by link members 35 which are pivotally connected to the lugs 36, the lugs being rigidly formed on each apron flight adjacent the abutting edges thereof and centrally positioned. From Fig. 5 it will be apparent that the lugs 36 will be engaged by the lteeth 37 of the sprocket members 38; the sprockets 38 being disposed between the flanged members 39 of the wheels 24 and 26.

A particular advantage of this arrangement is that open spaces are provided between each link to prevent accumulation of soil. The result is that the soil which may Patent No. 1,228,179,

gather betweenthe connecting links will be easily displaced by the sprocket teeth. I find that a very econo-mica] construction may thus be obtained without impairing the strength or propelling power of the mechanism. Y

The propelling mechanism may be comprised of a double cylinder gas engine 40'; the crank shaft 41 may be directly connected to a sleeve 42 of a\friction clutch member 43 coaxially arranged with a jack shaft 44. A cone member 45 may be slidably mounted on the jack shaft but in splined relation therewith so that it may be shifted into and out 'of engagement with the. clutch member 43 by any suitable shipper means.

.Sguoh means may comprise a bifurcated member 48 supported on the end of a longitudinal shaft 50 which extends in a for` ward direction to the drivers position on the tractor, while a suitable foot edal 51 'l may be mounted on the outer end t creo-f.

I prefer to also mount sliding` gears 52 and 53 upon the jack shaft 44 for the puri pose of obtaining two driving speeds. The gears may be carried on a sleeve 54 vin splined relation with the jack shaft; the sleeve being shifted along the shaft by a shipper lever 56 operated from the `drivers position. The' sleeve 54 may have one end notched to form a claw clutch member which is adapted to engage a similarly notched hub 59 of a sprocket member 60 also mounted on the jack shaft and adjacent the bearing member 61.

The gear 52 1s adaptedto engage a large gear 62 while the gear 53 is adapted to engage the gear 63, both of which are carried by an intermediate shaft 64. These gears thus afford two ranges of speed rotation for the intermedia-te shaft 64. A sprocket member 65 may also be mounted on the intermediate shaft 64 and be driven by a chain 66 meshing with the small sprocket 60.

This arrangement provides a reverse drivefor they intermediate shaft 64. A heavy pin- -ion 67 is arranged near the inner end of the intermediate shaft and is adapted to drive a-large gear 68 which is carried on a heavy shaft 69; the latter shaft may be supported on bearing members 70 secured to the upper face of the' side frame members 18.-

To turn the vehicle to the right or the left, I have provided selective means on the shaft 69 for driving either the right or the left tractor apron. This mechanism may be comprised of claw clutch members 169 and 170 which are loosely mounted on the shaft 69 but in rigid relation with sprockets 71 and 72 respectively. The clutch members 169 and 170 are arranged to be respectively engaged by the claw members 74and 75 which are in splined relation with the shaft 69. Suitable spring mem-Lk bers 80 ma be disposed between the ends of the s'lida le claw members and collars 81. which are rigidly secured to the shaft.

To disengage these clutch members I have provided shipper members 82 which may extend downwardly and be rigid with shifting levers 83. The latter members may be pivotally mounted in suitable bearings 84 secured to the intermediate frame members\21. .These levers may extend beyond the forward end of the machine and be engaged'by pins 85 which are carried by a rocker member 86 rigidly mounted on a steering post 87., The steering post may extend upwardly to the driversposition and have a wheel 88 rigid therewith which is positioned in front of the drivers seat.

If it is desired to drive the vehicle straight ahead, both of the yclutches on the shaft 69 should be in engagement, hence the rocker member 86 should be in the position 'illustrated in Fig. 3. If it is desired to disen age one of the members, the driver will rst release the friction clutch members 43-and 45Y after which either one of the by turning the steering wheel 88 to the right or the left. If it is desired to turn to the right, the clutch member 70 should be disengaged thus causing the mechanism to drive the left tractor apron while the right apron remains stationary, and vice versa.D

claw clutches 169 or 17 0 maybe disengaged v chains 92 and sprockets 71 and 72. The shaft`90 is arranged to drive thepinions 94 which `are positioned thereon adjacent the frame members and which mesh with the spur-gears 95; the latter gears being in rigid relation with the driving sleeves 96l which are supporte-d on the axle 25. These y sleeves exten-d from the inner side of the -ward end ofthe tractor, it is important outer frame members 18 to the Aends of the axle andare arranged to drive the rear wheels 24. The axle 25 is rigidly supported on the tractor frame by suitable bracket members 98 which may be secured to the under side thereof.

I prefer to provide the forward axle with f a'transverse elliptic spring 100 which may be rigidly secured, to the transverse frame member 101 at the center thereof. The

spring member may extend downwardly to 'engage the upper face of the axle 27. -To

permit the axle to shift in a vertical direction, I'have provided elongated openings in the bearing brackets 19, in which the axle may move gvertically above and below the normalposition shown; Suitable grooves 27a may be formed in the sides of the axle in Which the brackets 19 it. The brackets thus serve to prevent transverse shifting of the axle. This arrangement permits either end of the axle to be depressed or raised independently of the other and permits move-` ment of `bpth ends of the axle at the same "time as the contour of the ground may require.

As the driver is in position on the forthat means be provided for elevating the "dumping doors 108 of the load carrying body 10, capableof being operated and con-v trolled by the driver while in the drivers seat. To this end I have provided means for driving the shaft 109 upon which the chain drums 110 are mounted. To effect the driving of the shaft-I have arranged a large .sprocket 111 on the drum shaft which -isdriven by a chain 112 and a small sprocket 112a which may be carried on 'a 4, stud shaft mounted on a suitable bearing i' block 114 secured to the beams 11 of the body. The stud staft may be driven by a :flexiblel shaft which extends downwardly through the pivotall center of the connecting blocks 14 and 15 of the vehicle to an an ularly disposed small shaft 117. Suita le flexible covering 118 may serve to prevent the accumulation of dirt yand grit upon the ".flexible shaft. This cover may terminate at "andbe secured to a bearing `member 120 mounted"on .the tractor frame.

The bearing nemher` 120 is arranged to support engaging and disengaging' means I lever 125. The bevel pinion 126 is driven by a bevel gear 127 the latter gear being mounted on the side of one of the sprocket members 91. v y f It is evident that with the foregoing de scribed mechanism the closing of the doors 108 may be eliected bythe winding of the chains 108a upon the drums when the clutch member 121 is lifted into engagement with the complementary clutch member 122 `by the control mechanism xterminating at .the front of the machine in the foot pedal 125.

To prevent any straining of the various elements included in the door vclosing mechanism in case the operator should prolong pressure on the brake'pedal 125, I have pro- .Vided automatic releasing means on the drum shaft109 and associated with the hub of thel sprocket 111 `which may` be comi' prised of releasing member `140, Which is4 shdably mounted on the drum` shaft 109 but 1n splined engagement therewith. This member may have suitable notches 4maintained in engagement with complementary notches formed on the sprocket hub by a spring member 141. A collar 142 serves to 4maintain the spring under compression urging the member into operative relation with its mate, rigid with the sprocket. The force of the spring is sufficient to maintain this relation during the door closing operation, but will permit the member 140 to slide out of driving engagement with mwthe sllrptslketl whcen the doors 'havebeen comp e e y c ose preventino` dama 'ino' arts.

When 'the vehicle is lcadeth tglietdlijmping of the 'load may be effected by releasing a pawl which is in engagement with a ratchet member 151 rigidly mounted on the drum shaft 109 and normally holding thev dumping doors closedl The pawl may be lCll pivotally mountedon one side of the body 10. and may be read'ly manipulated 'by any sultable means such as a cord 153 extending to the operators position on the tractor.

AS the sexible shaft is not coupled with the vention it is evident that I have provided a tractor propelled vehicle of the bottom dumping type wherein I have embodied features of tractor design which will permit of ling tractor pivotal easy maneuvering of the vehicle over soft or 'rough ground including'means operable from the drivers position on the tractor for controllin the various mechanisms for turning the ve'icle to the right or left or to reverse it. Furthermore, lI have provided a simple means for unloading the vehicle and for conditioning it for the reception of another load,r all of which may be controlled by the driver without necessitating loss of time consequent lto the driver leavinghis po- Asiton on the tractor.

Having thus described my invention, I claim: l

1. The combination withl a load carrying body having dumping doors, of a tractor supporting the forward end of the body, a pivotal connection between the body and the tractor, means for propelling the tractor, and mechanism actuated by said means for closing said dumping doors, said mechanism including a flexible connection extending from. the vehicle body to the tractor' and passing through the pivotal connection between the body and the tractor.

2. The combination with a load carryin body having'a dumping door, of a propelysupportng the forward end of the body, and means actuated by the tractor propelling means for closing said door, including a shaft driven by the tractor and extending throughthe pivotal connection between sald tractor and said vehicle body.

3. The combination with a load carrying body, of a tractor mechanism for propelling the load carrying body constituting a support for the forward end of the load carrying body and pivotally connected therewith, said tractor mechanism having rear propel- 1er wheels of less height than the height of' said doors when closed, and pivotal connecting means between the body and tractor overhanging the rear driving wheels of the vehicle.

4. The combination of a vehicle having a load container "provided with a dumping door, a pair of wheels and an axle supporting the rearward portion of said'container, a tractor mechanism for propelling the vehicle and constituting a support for the forward end of the load container and pivotally connected therewith whereby .the body overhangs the tractor frame, and vertically .signature.

extending axle driven means positioned on the tractor fframe and connected with said' support-ing one end of said body, and means operable by the tractor upon movement thereof for closing said door, including a flexible shaft extending through the ivotal connection between the end of the bo y and tractor, said flexible shaft being selectively driven by the tractor propelling means.

7. In combination with a dumpwagon, a tractor, power means propelling the rear axle of the tractor, a connecting means pivotally coupling the dump( wagon to the tractor, said means being positioned immediately over the rear axlel of the tractor, a power take-off extending through the coupling means and between the body of the wagon and the tractor rear axle including a power disengaging clutch mounted on the tractor and a normally engaged clutch mounted on the wagon` a dum door on the wagon, a windin shaft provi ed with flexible means for c osing the door and means for yieldingly maintalning the normally engaged clutchin driving relation with said shaft whereby an excess application of power to the shaft will cause a disengagement of the clutch.

8. In fzombinaton, a dump body provided with means for closing a door in the body including a chain winding shaft, 'a tractor pivotally connected to pthe'dump body and means driven by the tractor for drivingthe chain shaft, said means extending throu h the pivotal connect-ion betweenl the boy and the tractor and including a -clutch on theI tractor and a clutch on the body.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afx my LE GRAND G.' CAREY.y 

